Scientists Learn More About How Gene Linked to Autism Affects Brain New preclinical research shows a gene already linked to a subset of people with autism spectrum disorder is critical to healthy neuronal connections in the developing brain, and its loss can harm those connections to help fuel the complex developmental condition. Scientists at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center report in Developmental Cell their data clarify the biological role of the gene CHD8 and its protein CHD8 in developing oligodendrocytes, cells that form a protective insulation around nerves. The sheath supports neuronal connections in the brain and manifest themselves in white matter. Although previous studies show disruptive mutations in CHD8 cause autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and abnormalities in the brain's white matter, the underlying biology has been a mystery. Read More |
Helicopter Parenting May Negatively Affect Children's Emotional Well-Being, Behavior It's natural for parents to do whatever they can to keep their children safe and healthy, but children need space to learn and grow on their own, without Mom or Dad hovering over them, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association. The study, published in the journal Developmental Psychology, found that over-controlling parenting can negatively affect a child's ability to manage his or her emotions and behavior. "Our research showed that children with helicopter parents may be less able to deal with the challenging demands of growing up, especially with navigating the complex school environment," said Nicole B. Perry, PhD, from the University of Minnesota, and lead author of the study. "Children who cannot regulate their emotions and behavior effectively are more likely to act out in the classroom, to have a harder time making friends and to struggle in school." Read More |
Brain Matures Faster Due to Childhood Stress Stress in early childhood leads to faster maturation of certain brain regions during adolescence. In contrast, stress experienced later in life leads to slower maturation of the adolescent brain. This is the outcome of a long-term study conducted by researchers of Radboud University in which 37 subjects have been monitored for almost 20 years. The findings will be published in Scientific Reports on 15 June. In 1998, the group -- which then comprised 129 one-year-olds and their parents -- was tested for the first time. Over the past 20 years, researchers studied, inter alia, their play sessions and interactions with parents, friends and classmates. The children were also subjected to MRI scans. This wealth of data has enabled Karin Roelofs, Professor of Experimental Psychopathology, her PhD student Anna Tyborowska and other colleagues of Radboud University to investigate how stress in various life stages affected the adolescent brain of these children. Read More |
Gene Therapy Restores Hand Function After Spinal Cord Injury in Rats Researchers at King's College London have shown that rats with spinal cord injuries can re-learn skilled hand movements after being treated with a gene therapy. People with spinal cord injury often lose the ability to perform everyday actions that require coordinated hand movements, such as writing, holding a toothbrush or picking up a drink. Regaining hand function is the top priority for patients and would dramatically improve independence and quality of life. No regenerative treatments are currently available. The researchers tested a new gene therapy for regenerating damaged tissue in the spinal cord that could be switched on and off using a common antibiotic. Professor Elizabeth Bradbury from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) said: 'What is exciting about our approach is that we can precisely control how long the therapy is delivered by using a gene 'switch'. This means we can hone in on the optimal amount of time needed for recovery. Gene therapy provides a way of treating large areas of the spinal cord with only one injection, and with the switch we can now turn the gene off when it is no longer needed.' Read More |
Online Information on Vaccines and Autism Not Always Reliable Research at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) has found that information available online can provide unreliable information based on old, 'weak' scientific studies. The study 'Fake news or weak science?' is published in open-access journal Frontiers in Immunology. Researchers carried out a search for 'vaccines autism' and then analyzed the results for the top 200 websites. They found that people can get misinformed advice and information from the Internet, with 10%-24% of the websites analyzed having a negative stance on vaccines (20% in the UK). Although searching on Google.com did not return such a website in the first 10 websites generated, searching on the UK and Australian versions of Google did. Read More |
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New Drug Halves Hearing Loss in Children Following Cancer Treatment Giving the drug sodium thiosulphate after chemotherapy reduces hearing loss in children treated for liver cancer, according to findings published in the New England Journal of Medicine today (Wednesday). Results from the Cancer Research UK funded SIOPEL-6 clinical trial show that giving sodium thiosulphate (STS), after a type of chemotherapy called cisplatin, reduces hearing loss by nearly 50% in children treated for hepatoblastoma*, a childhood liver cancer. This is a major step forward in minimizing the number of children left with debilitating and long-term side effects after being treated for cancer. Read More |
Honor Society for Special Education Teachers
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Educators Harness Virtual Reality to Enhance Special Needs Education Many instructors in the field of special needs education have likely heard of virtual reality (VR) and its uses for learners with physical or mental disabilities. But how should it be used? When? And for which groups of learners? For some companies, that answer is everywhere and anywhere. Last week, the U.K.-based Inclusive Technology announced a new product: Inclusive ClassVr. The product is marketed for 'special and early education.' It's that kind of language-lacking precision and typically treating special needs education as a catch-all category-that might turn an educator off. But Inclusive Technology believes virtual reality can be used to bring a class together regardless of their learning ability. Read More |
Stressful Events in Childhood Associated with ADHD, Study Finds Mounting evidence suggests that childhood adversity increases the risk for mental health problems, however the impact of childhood stress on symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD or ADHD) was previously unclear. Now, a new study has charted a positive correlation between the number of stressful events a child experiences and his or her ADHD symptoms, suggesting further research is warranted. Researchers from Stanford University asked 214 children between the ages of nine and 14 to complete the Traumatic Events Screening Inventory for Children, and then measured how many negative experiences each child had before age six and after age six. The children's parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist to capture the severity of their ADHD symptoms. The scientists captured images of each child's brain using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, then examined the differences in brain structure and volume known to be associated with ADHD using tensor-based morphometry. Read More |
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LATEST JOB LISTINGS POSTED ON NASET
* Early Childhood Special Education Teacher - Provides research-based specialized instruction to address the instructional goals and objectives contained within each student's IEP. Assesses student progress and determines the need for additional reinforcement or adjustments to instructional techniques. Employs various teaching techniques, methods and principles of learning to enable students to meet their IEP goals. To learn more - Click here
* Head of School - The Parish School www.parishschool.org is a private, non-profit, coeducational school, for children ages 2-12, with a maximum enrollment of 150. The person chosen to assume the Head of School will be offered an extraordinary opportunity. This national search will identify a candidate who will inherit a qualified and tenured faculty, devoted families, and excellent institutional reputation. To learn more - Click here
* Special Education Teachers - The Teacher is responsible for providing an educational atmosphere where students have the opportunity to fulfill their potential for intellectual, emotional, physical, spiritual and psychological growth. This person is responsible for organizing and implementing an instructional program that will maximize the learning experience of students with special needs, in academics, interpersonal skills and activities of daily living by implementing district approved curriculum; documenting teaching and student progress/activities, outcomes; addressing students' specific needs; providing a safe and optimal learning environment. To learn more - Click here
* Special Ed Teachers/Special Ed Lead Teachers - $1000 sign on payable. Maintains an up-to-date, in-field certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission; salary and length of contract to be established by the Board of Education. To plan for and to provide appropriate learning experiences and educational opportunities for students with disabilities assigned to the classroom. To learn more - Click here
* PRESIDENT - St. Rita School for the Deaf - The President provides leadership to achieve the fullest attainment of the mission of St. Rita School for the Deaf (SRSD). The President serves as an administrative officer of the Board of Limited Jurisdiction and serves on the board as ex-officio member without vote. The President is the overall leader and facilitator of the school and bears ultimate responsibility for the integration of faith and culture, consistent with the mission and core values of St. Rita School for the Deaf. To learn more - Click here
* Science Test Developer, Alernate Assessment -The Science Test Developer will lead state assessment projects and tasks that include the development and management of Science Assessment programs. Responsibilities include: Managing the review, revision, and delivery of Science test items and ensuring item quality. To learn more - Click here
* Special Education Teachers-All Areas - Stafford County Public Schools is actively seeking certified Special Education-All Areas Teachers for the upcoming 2018-2019 school year. We also offer Travel Reimbursement for out of state applicants available ONLY with a signed contract. To learn more - Click here
If you are an Employer looking for excellent special education staff - Click here for more information |
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